The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) last week entered into a formal consent order with Trulieve over wastewater discharges at its Capps Highway cannabis cultivation facility in Monticello, according to Tallahassee Reports. The order comes after complaints from nearby residents about wastewater runoff from the facility associated with reverse-osmosis reject water, and condensate from dehumidifiers\ and HVAC equipment.
The wastewater is routed to an irrigation sediment basin and sprayed on designated areas of the company’s property; however, DEP found that Trulieve “sprayed the wastewater onto its outdoor lawn” and some moved beyond the facility perimeter without a DEP permit, which the agency said violated state law and environmental regulations. The consent order did not find that Trulieve contaminated drinking water or waterways with unsafe levels of pollutants.
In a letter to residents, Cindy Pyburn of Concerned Residents of Jefferson County, called the DEP action “a huge victory for our community.”
“For months, residents were told that what we were seeing leave the Trulieve property was rainwater and that the runoff issues had been addressed. Now, DEP’s consent order puts its findings and the steps Trulieve must take in writing.” — Pyburn in the letter via Tallahassee Reports
Under the order, Trulieve has 30 days to submit an irrigation plan that would prevent wastewater from leaving the property and must, within 120 days, apply for a wastewater permit covering the discharges outlined by DEP. The order also requires Trulieve, within 90 days, to pay $80,000 or propose a DEP-approved environmental enhancement, restoration or facility-improvement project worth at least $120,000.
Trulieve has indicated it intends to pursue the $120,000 improvement option.
The order requires Trulieve to allow authorized DEP representatives access to the facility and property at reasonable times to determine compliance. Violating the consent order could subject the company to civil penalties of up to $15,000 per day for each violation.
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